What you need to know about using a heat pump in northern Ontario
Experts discuss the efficacy of heat pumps in northern Ontario, noting that while technology is improving, they are best used alongside a secondary heat source in extreme cold. The article also addresses the importance of choosing knowledgeable contractors for installation.
Why it matters
Offers practical advice for homeowners navigating energy efficiency upgrades and government rebate programs in cold climates.
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Heat pumps are rated on a scale called SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, explained Anthony Davis, the operations manager at Greater Sudbury Plumbing, Heating, and A/C. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient a heat pump is.
He said the most efficient heat pumps available in Canada right now can handle around -35 degrees celsius, give or take.
Those are often called "cold climate heat pumps," said Steve Filioglou, the general manager at Tombari HVAC in Sault Ste. Marie.
But both Filioglou and Davis said they recommend pairing a heat pump with another heat source — be it natural gas, propane or electric heat — for those times in northern Ontario when the temperature dips to -40 degrees celsius and below.
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